Processing DoD Issuances

Basic guidance only. For complete information, see Processing DoD Issuances.

What You'll Do

• Determine if your issuance is a directive, instruction, manual, or directive-type memorandum.
• For new issuances, assign a number using our guidelines. You will not need to assign a number if your issuance is a change or reissuance.
• Follow the standards and use the Writing Style Guide while drafting your issuance.
• If you have information collections or forms in your issuance (see the Special Considerations Checklist), review those websites for help.
• Prepare a draft (unsigned) DD Form 106.

What You'll Do

• Using your Component's procedures, coordinate your issuance with any offices in your OSD Component and subordinate Defense Agencies or DoD Field Activities that have equity in your issuance. Your focal point can help you.
• Adjudicate and document comments using your Component's guidelines. You may use the DD Form 818-1 to collect comments.
• Revise the issuance as appropriate.

What You'll Do

• Send your issuance and DD Form 106 to your focal point for posting to either the classified or unclassified Portals.
• You will be assigned an issuance compliance analyst, who will review the documents to make sure they are in compliance with DoD issuance guidance and standards.

What You'll Do

• Revise your issuance and DD Form 106 as directed by your compliance analyst.
• If you feel a change or recommendation is confusing or inappropriate, contact your compliance analyst immediately to discuss.

What You'll Do

This stage is optional.

• Send your issuance and DD Form 106 to your focal point for posting to either the classified or unclassified Portals.
• Your compliance analyst will quickly check your material to make sure it meets required standards and inform the Portal Manager when it is ready for release.
• The Portal Manager will release the action to OGC for its review. You will receive an email notifying you of the action, including the suspense date.
• OGC will review your issuance to make sure it complies with law. You will need to be sure to make the changes that were identified as legal issues.

What You'll Do

• If you got a legally objectionable review:
• Adjudicate all OGC comments
• If possible, don't make additional changes to your issuance or DD Form 106 other than those specified by OGC. If you do need to make changes, talk to the lawyer who did your review to make sure your changes don’t affect any legal determination.
• Follow internal guidelines for your Component to get the DD Form 106 signed in accordance with the List of Signature Authorities and Authorized Component Coordinators.

What You'll Do

• Send your draft issuance, signed DD Form 106, and blank DD Form 818 to your focal point for posting to either the classified or unclassified Portals.
• If you’re coordinating with anyone who doesn’t have access to the Portal, send the material directly to them.
• Your compliance analyst will quickly check your material to make sure it meets required standards and inform the Portal Manager when it is ready for release.
• The Portal Manager will release the action to the DoD Components concerned for formal coordination. You will receive an email notifying you of the action, including the suspense date.
• You will be notified by email each time a DoD Component posts its response to the Portal.

What You'll Do

• Confirm the coordinations are signed by the right Component authority in accordance with Authorized Component Coordinators.
• Copy comments to a DD Form 818-1 (use one form for all the comments you have received).
• Review comments, note how you will adjudicate them in the DD Form 818-1, and adjust your issuance accordingly.
• If any comments are legal in nature, work with your focal point to find an associate general counsel to advise you. If you got a legal objection review, contact the lawyer that completed it.
• Follow the dispute resolution guidance in DoDI 5025.01 to address nonconcurs.
• Create a List of Coordinating Officials.
• Create an Action Memo requesting approval of the issuance.

What You'll Do

• Send the presignature package to your focal point for posting to either the classified or unclassified Portals.
• Your package will be assigned to an issuance compliance analyst and you will be informed by email of the suspense date.
• Your compliance analyst will review your package to make sure it is complete and conforms to DoD issuance standards.

What You'll Do

• Revise your material according to your compliance analyst’s direction.
• Contact your compliance analyst to discuss any questions or concerns.
• If a second presignature is required, send the revised presignature package to your focal point for posting to either the classified or unclassified Portals.

What You'll Do

• Send your issuance package to your focal point to post to either the classified or unclassified Portals.
• Your compliance analyst will quickly check your material to make sure it meets required standards and inform the Portal Manager when it is ready for release.
• The Portal Manager will release the action to OGC for its review. You will receive an email notifying you of the action, including the suspense date.
• OGC will review your issuance to make sure it complies with law. You will need to make all the changes that were identified as legal issues.

What You'll Do

• Any issuance that will be publically accessible on the DoD Issuance Website must be cleared for release by the Defense Office of Publication and Security Review (DOPSR).
• Email the materials to the SECREV inbox. Any questions about the DOPSR review process should be directed to them.
• When you receive your review, make sure that a copy has been sent to whs.mc-alex.esd.mbx.dod-directives@mail.mil.

What You'll Do

For OSD Component Approval:

• Follow your Component’s internal guidelines to get the issuance approved.

For Deputy Secretary Approval:

• Follow your Component’s internal guidelines to get the Action Memo to the Deputy Secretary signed by your leadership.
• Send the MS Word electronic files of the complete package to your focal point for posting to either the classified or unclassified Portals.
• If your front office returns the hard copy of the approval package to you, send it to us at the Mark Center, Suite 02F09-02, via OSD mailroom or courier.

What You'll Do (Not much at this point!)

For Issuances Approved by the OSD Component:

For All Issuances:

What You'll Do

• Review Section 7: Special Procedures for Changes in Processing DoD Issuances or Processing ODCMO Issuances.
• Review the Change Standards.
• Send your issuance and draft action memo to your focal point for posting to the either the classified or unclassified Portals.
• Determine what type of change you need to do (administrative or substantive). See DoDI 5025.01 for definitions.

For Administrative Changes

• Prepare a draft (unsigned) Administrative Change action memo and make the changes to the issuance following the standards.
• Coordinate your changes internally.
• Send your issuance and draft action memo to your focal point for posting to the classified or unclassified Portal.
• After our review, make any necessary changes, get the action memo approved, and return the hard copy and MS Word version of the issuance to us following the process in 5B.

For Substantive Changes

• Prepare a draft (unsigned) DD Form 106 and make the changes to the issuance following the standards.
• Follow the procedures in Stages 1B through 5B.

What You'll Do

• Review Section 8: Special Procedures for Cancellations in Processing DoD Issuances or Processing ODCMO Issuances.
• Save a copy of the pdf version of your issuance from our website.
• Prepare a draft (unsigned) DD Form 106. The purpose must explain your reasoning for cancelling the issuance. All DoD/OSD Components that coordinated on the version currently online must be collateral coordinators.
• Follow the procedures in Stages 1B through 5B.